QuickCheck to aid alignment speculation – Pro-Align

Wheel alignment equipment distributor Pro-Align has continued to transmit a message of alignment services’ increased revenue potential, while seeking to raise professional alignment standards by launching a two-day assessed course teaching workshop technicians advanced wheel alignment practice. The company says that it championed the idea of a “speculative wheel alignment check” as a service most recently to highlight the speed of the new Hunter Elite TD. The company says that the check using this equipment lasts 90 seconds, showing the possibility of rapidly measuring all 14 primary alignment angles, identifying cars that were out of alignment quickly and accurately. Measurements using the machinery are carried out to the same high standards that motor manufacturers themselves would measure to and would uncover any important chargeable adjustment work.

The speed with which the alignment machine carries out the checks makes the potential revenue rewards of “speculative” wheel alignment checks greater, and Pro-Align believes the method is now being recognised as the way to unlock one of the most profitable services available to workshops. “Historically, workshops hadn’t realised the potential for speculative alignment checks as the alignment process when using accurate equipment, had been too time consuming,” explains Paul Beaurain, managing director, Pro-Align.

Now this style of service has been given an additional push by the company, when it launched its latest alignment system, the Hunter QuickCheck.  QuickCheck provides a sub-60 second misalignment diagnosis including a preliminary six point printout. Considering the short time now taken to obtain a diagnosis from its use directly on the workshop floor, Pro-Align believes businesses should consider measuring every vehicle coming through their doors.

The distributor says QuickCheck is suited to workshops who either find their current wheel alignment equipment, while adequate for subsequent adjustment work, is too slow, meaning speculative alignment measurements is not an option. Alternatively the company suggests the new equipment could suit businesses with high alignment throughput looking for further efficiency improvements and equipment utilisation.

QuickCheck offers the opportunity to identify quickly cars requiring some chargeable adjustment work, meaning that all cars entering the workshop should be checked before moving onto the main aligner. For those customers not requiring any additional adjustment, the printout results act as a further proof of a quality job and value added service, Pro-Align argues. This system also ensures the maximised capacity of the main alignment bay, which could then deal with revenue generating work only.

“Professional wheel alignment offers workshops some fantastic opportunities, and this unique combination of systems really takes things to a new level,” continues Beaurain. “With so many misaligned cars on our road, speculative checks by workshops are sure to become a regular sight as well as significant and valuable income stream.”

Pro-Align’s “Alignment Diploma”

Pro-Align says its recently-launched alignment training course is unlike others, because students will be required to pass a theory test and practical assessment to demonstrate they have a sound technical and practical understanding of alignment. Successful candidates will be awarded Pro-Align’s Alignment Diploma. The company explains that it has already seen “students” fail the tests, making them re-take parts of the test and practical elements to gain the Diploma.

“At present, there are no common alignment standards throughout the industry as to the competency of wheel alignment technicians, so we aim to start rectifying this with our new Alignment Diploma,” said Paul Beaurain.

The curriculum involves alignment theory, the 14 point primary alignment angles, four wheel toe adjustment, standard operations, additional adjustments and even the onwards presentation of the resulting data to drivers which provides a succinct diagnosis of what has been found and what adjustments are required. Other crucial elements include Steering Angle Sensor reset procedure, which ensures that candidates conduct the complete alignment in line with motor manufacturers’ requirements for that specific vehicle.

Learning takes place in Pro-Align’s purpose built training facility, where classroom knowledge is converted into practice with hands-on experience using the latest Hunter alignment equipment in a state-of-the-art bay.

“Pro-Align prides itself in leading the alignment sector and the aim of our new diploma is to help educate and raise the industry’s standard. Of course, we also trust that attendees will benefit from the skills they learn and make the alignment experience as professional as possible for their own customers,” added Beaurain.